Do It For the Love

I haven’t written a real blog in what seems like ages. Now that my event is out of the way, I can return to my one and only true love…writing, sharing from the heart and hopefully inspiring.

Last week I was more or less recovering from the hectic pace of event planning and it was a huge relief and joy to know that it all paid off. Days after I sometimes woke up at 2 am unable to go back to sleep and laughing to myself like a luny as I remembered how awesome the whole thing was 😀

photo credit – Seth Doyle. http://www.unsplash.com

My first ever Book Talk & Jazz was an amazing, amazing successful experience…but don’t take it from me, check out the photos here if you haven’t seen them yet. And soon I’d share some reviews that were written by guests. But you can check these out here.

Part of the reason I do what I do is not because I woke up one day and suddenly had an epiphany and decided that this is gonna make me a ton of money or this is what I was born to do. I wasn’t always as outgoing as I am now and this was far from my life plan.

I didn’t have the guts to stand in front of people and tell my story. In fact I told the audience I was very, very quiet, introverted and shy. I didn’t like to share my feelings or experiences until I was really pushed to the limit and there was no way out. 

Now you can’t get me to shut up. Seriously, I was actually thrown into this life when I wrote my first book Thinking out Loud and then again through my former career in HR when I had to address staff and sometimes students.

When I lived in Tobago, I found a way to apply this new skill to my job there as well. Soon I realized I was a natural…or so I was told and I was actually making people happy and impacting lives. So it was then I definitely decided to make this a vocation.

photo credit – Mayur Gala. http://www.unsplash.com

 

I’ve been doing this now for almost 6 years sporadically at first and even now I am still filled with dread when I think about facing an audience or going on TV.

Right before the day of my Book Talk & Jazz, I was wondering “what if I forget what I have to say” and “what if no one gets me” and of course “what if I bore them to tears” .

But you know what? I didn’t.

There were all ages and career stages of persons in the audience from the entrepreneur to the business professional to the creatives/artistes/authors and seasoned professionals – managers and consultants. And they all GET ME!

Wow! That’s surreal.

I know I’ve done this before, but this is my first paid show and it’s a relief to know that no one asked for their money back! lol In fact there were a few people who could not make it and still contributed to my event (some who have never even heard me speak publicly before!).

Ah-may-zing! I am humbled and in awe of all this abundance and love.

One person in the audience said she fought back tears, but not because she was bored, but because she could so identify with my story and it made her emotional to know someone felt the same way too.

Now that’s why I do what I do. There were so many lovely things that were said and now I have a responsibility and commitment to keep inspiring people.

Here’s a little secret, I did it for a few friends the week before (before I memorized it) and they all hated it. They did not get it one bit. They did not get me or my humour and they found I spoke too much about myself and the list goes on.

A couple of them even thought I should drink 2 Red bulls and a Guinness before I take the stage! I guess they thought I needed wings. Imagine that?! 

Needless to say these people weren’t my target audience — they were 4 men who when I asked the question to uncover their life’s purpose, “What would you do everyday to impact lives if money was not an issue and you didn’t have to work for a living?” answered “go to the beach every day and have sex with a sexy virgin!!”

Moral of the story. Never doubt your ability. You have greatness within.

Preparation is key. He who fails to prepare, will most likely fail.

Surround yourself with people who get you, but will still tell you like it is.

Know who is your audience.

Educate yourself with all the things that really matter.

Find inspiration from nature and other inspiring people who have been where you are and have succeeded.

Accept what is and move on.

Take the negative feedback and use it to give you the edge.

And never ever forget to say THANK YOU.

 

Until next time,

Peace & Love,
Carolyn xo